The mega hole is expected to cause chaos for commuters travelling home this evening and passengers are being advised to take alternative routes.

All lines between London Bridge and East Croydon, south London, were taken off service, with the hole opening up in Forest Hill, south east London.

According to Southern Rail, trains were still able to run northbound between East Croydon and London Victoria, but rail replacement buses were being put in place for stations between East Croydon and London Bridge.

A signalling fault had already forced trains to run at reduced speeds southbound between East Croydon and Gatwick Airport in the morning and resulting delays were expected to last well into the afternoon.